Detecting and quantifying influenza virus with self- versus investigator-collected mid-turbinate nasal swabs

We compared pairs of self- and investigator-collected mid-turbinate nasal swabs to detect and quantify influenza viral loads. We used RNase P, which reflects presence of human cells to determine adequate sample collection. Sixteen pairs of influenza-positive swabs and 25 pairs of influenza-negative swabs were included in this study. The median influenza A viral loads for self- and investigator-collected swabs were 1.68 and 1.67 log₁₀ copies/mL, respectively (P = 0.96). RNase P loads were also similar between self- and investigator-collected swabs (P = 0.51). Self-collected mid-turbinate nasal swabs yield comparable viral loads to investigator-collected swabs, and therefore might be considered for research and clinical management.